Community Briefs 2/7/19

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless is the most recent candidate to file paperwork for the 2020 election cycle in Clay County.

Chambless said he filed on Feb. 1 to keep from getting lost in the fray of the 2020 presidential election, which is already ramping up.

“The 2020 Presidential election – while seemingly distant on the calendar, is surprisingly close; the first Presidential primary debate is scheduled for this June, less than six months away. As you know, much attention is given to a Presidential election season and the four elections scheduled for that year require my full concentration,” Chambless said.

Elected in 2008 after being endorsed by former Supervisor of Elections Barbara Kirkman, Chambless said it is imperative to continue to have strong leadership in the office of Supervisor of Elections.

“Anticipating the projected growth in Clay County, it becomes even more imperative that we build on our past success by providing professional election administration and continue to improve and innovate the election process for all Clay County voters. Remember that good government always begins in the Supervisor of Elections Office,” he said.

In other races, incumbent Clay County School Superintendent Addison Davis also filed for re-election on Feb. 1.

On Jan. 28, incumbent Mike Cella filed his paperwork for to seek re-election to the District 1 seat on the Board of County Commissioners.

Assistant Clay County Tax Collector Holly Coyle – a political newcomer – was first to jump into the 2020 cycle by filing to run for the top role as Tax Collector on Jan. 2.

Judge Skinner reigns, nominations underway

JACKSONVILLE BEACH – The recent resignation of Fourth Circuit Court Judge John H. Skinner has created a vacancy that needs to be filled.

Applications may be downloaded from the Florida Bar’s website floridabar.org or the Office of the Governor, flgov.com.

Interviews will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Chief Judge Mark Mahon’s chambers on the 7th floor of the Duval County Courthouse.

Neither incomplete applications nor applications submitted after the deadline will be considered. All applicants must meet the qualifications for circuit court judges outlined in the Florida Constitution.

Applicants must email a PDF of the application to pkilbane@ullmannbrown.com with personal information not subject to public disclosure redacted as permitted by Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes.

Applicants are also required to submit an electronic version of the complete, unredacted application and a digital photo to the same email address. Applications must include current contact information, including email addresses, for judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel and references to facilitate the background investigation that will be conducted by the members of the commission. Applicants shall not initiate contact with the commissioners until the nominees are submitted to Gov. DeSantis.

All proceedings of this Judicial Nominating Commission are open to the public except for deliberations. Accordingly, applicants should not expect their application be kept confidential.

Transportation organization elects 2019 officers

JACKSONVILLE – The North Florida TPO Board’s newly-elected executive team will assume its duties at this month’s meetings. Nassau County Commissioner Danny Leeper was elected chairman replacing Clay County Commissioner Diane Hutchings. Leeper was previously vice chair.

St. Johns County Commissioner James K. Johns was elected vice chair. City of Atlantic Beach Mayor Charlie Latham was elected treasurer replacing Johns.

Two TPO committees also elected their leadership for 2019. The Technical Coordinating Committee elected Bill Killingsworth of the Jacksonville Planning Department, as chairman, replacing Ed Lehman, who is in the Clay County Planning Dept.

Brad Underhill, of the Nassau County School Board, was elected vice chairman, replacing Killingsworth.

The Citizens Advisory Committee elected Richard Darby, of Green Cove Springs, long time CAC member, former CAC chairman as chairman. Austin Chapman, St. Johns County resident, was elected vice chair.

The TCC is comprised of primarily planners and engineers that represent various governments within the TPO boundary who evaluate the technical sufficiency, accuracy and viability of proposed plans. The CAC is a volunteer body of residents and business people who review transportation plans from a community perspective.

It’s Scottish Games time again

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Fairgrounds turn a ‘wee bit Scottish’ on Feb. 23 with the return of the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival.

The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with additional entertainment until 9 p.m. Parking is free. Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the gate the day of the event. Children under 10 are admitted for free.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to hold the one-day festival in Northeast Florida,” said Audie Gibson, event president. “The event offers attendees who have never visited Scotland the opportunity to experience the wonderful culture and heritage without the international travel.”

Each year, thousands of visitors gather to watch the athletic competitions known as Highland Games, bagpipe and drumming competitions, and the Tartan parade, where Scottish descendants march with the symbol of their clan to open the festival. Attendees can also watch sheep dog trials, learn more about Scottish breed dogs and visit a petting zoo complete with Scottish animals such as Highland cattle and Shetland ponies.

Traditional Scottish food is available, such as fried Mars bars and Scotch eggs. Genealogy experts will be onsite to help individuals discover their ancestral history. There will also be numerous clan displays and vendors offering such items as and dresses.

Entertainment this year is presented by the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival and Guinness and includes the world famous Albannach, Tuatha Dae, Seven Nations and Syr.

The Games continue to grow and reflect the deep connections and effects the Scots and their descendants had on the United States. The Northeast Florida Games & Festival supports several charities in Northeast Florida. The year’s primary beneficiary Orange Park-based BASCA, which serves adults with intellectual disabilities.